Person recalls valuable defensive lessons with Spurs

Chuck Person never thought his defense was a particular skill when he was playing in the NBA.

But Person’s three seasons with the Spurs from 1994-98 served as a laboratory to help him learn advanced defensive principles with Bob Hill and Gregg Popovich.

“I wasn’t a great individual defender by any stretch, but I was a good team defender, and I focused on those techniques,” said Person, who has been hired as an assistant coach specializing in defense on Mike Brown’s staff with the Los Angeles Lakers.

“We had a system that was predicated around being able to defend for a dribble and a half, keeping your man from blowing by you on one dribble, and being able to help the helper under Gregg Popovich’s design,” Person said. “All in all, it was a joy to be around guys like David Robinson, Avery Johnson, Vinny Del Negro, Doc Rivers, Monty Williams and Dell Demps, all of whom are still very much involved in the game.”

Person was also a specialized shooter who hoisted 1,184 3-point attempts while playing with the Spurs. He still holds Spurs records for most 3-pointers made and attempted in a season.

“Shooting threes was what I worked on every day, because I knew that’s what was going to help our team,” Person said. “I made 200 3-pointers before practice every day, and 200 or 300 more after practice.”

His work ethic and his determination made Person a popular teammate on those Spurs teams.

It also served as the foundation for his coaching career. It won’t be a surprise when he’s a head coach in the NBA one of these days.

Even if “The Rifleman” now is known more for his defensive acumen these days around the NBA.